COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course offers an overview of state government and politics. While the course will cover topics in a comparative fashion across all fifty states, the primary focus will be on New York State. We will examine the social, economic, and political context within which state politics and policymaking occurs. The role of the states in our federal system will also receive attention. Next the course will focus on the linkages that exist between citizens and government, including elections and other forms of participation. The course will also examine the policymaking institutions of state government such as the state legislature, governor, executive agencies, and the courts. In the latter part of the semester, we will explore selected policy areas including criminal justice, social welfare, education, and the environment.

REQUIRED READING:

Bowman & Kearney, State and Local Government, 4th ed. (Houghton Mifflin, 1999). This traditional text has a web-based supplement that includes chapter outlines, links, and practice quizzes. Shaffer & Saland, American State & Urban Politics: An On-Line Multi Media Text. This web-based text focuses on New York State politics and includes brief chapters, articles, related links, and video clips. Handouts will be distributed occasionally as well.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING

Exams A midterm and a final exam will be given in the course, and each exam is worth 20% of the course grade. Both exams will consist of short and long essay questions. The exam dates are noted in the course outline.

Portfolio Assignments: The portfolio assignments are designed to allow you to investigate aspects of state politics and the policy process that you are interested in. These assignments will enable you to hone your research, critical analysis, and writing skills as well. A typical assignment will involve reading articles or examining web sites contained in the Shaffer & Saland text, and then responding to questions that I will provide for you. Each student will need to do a minimum of 250 points worth of assignments, and since the activities will be worth different point totals the number of assigments that you do depends on their nature. The writing portion of these assigments will be in the 2-3 page range which reflective of the types of writing you will be asked to do in our future careers. The portfolio project will count for 28% of the final course grade, and details will be provided on a separate handout.

Political Issue Analysis: A research paper in which you analyze a particular issue is required, and is worth 18% of the course grade. Your analysis will examine one issue, such as welfare reform or charter schools, and you will be asked to identify key decisions made, the primary actors involved, proposed alternatives, value conflicts, etc. that are part of the debate on your issue. I will furnish the class with a list of Empire State Report articles concerning many topics, and you will need to pick one and use the article to get you started on the paper. Moreover, you will need to develop an annotated listing of pertinent web sites related to your issue topic. In addition, you will be asked to present your issue analysis to the class. Your topic will determine when the paper is due and the presentation is made. For instance, if your issue is enviromental justice than the paper will be due when the class covers environmental policy.

Class Participation: Your attendance and participation in the class are worth 14% of the final course grade. Missing classes will severely hurt your participation grade and your preparation for the exams. Students should be ready to discuss the reading material assigned for each class as well as current events related to the course material. The class format will be varied with a mixture of lectures, small group discussions, guest speakers, and videos. I will provide the class with discussion/study questions for each course topic to help focus your reading and class preparation. It will be expected that you have grappled with these questions prior to class and be ready to discuss the questions. In order for a dynamic class environment to occur it is important that you are engaged in the course materials & topics. This aspect of your grade will also be assessed by your participation in the course chat room on topics that are selected for discussion.

OFFICE HOURS

If you find yourself struggling with the reading or assignments, please do not hesitate to see me. I also encourage you to see me regarding any other matters of concern where I may be of assistance. I am more than willing to offer any help possible, but you need to take the initiative and let me now. My office location is Student Center 149A, my phone extension is 2406, and my email is JZRY. My office hours are the following:

Monday: 9:30-11:30; 1:30-3:00 Wednesday: 9:30-1 1:00

Thursday: 9:30-1 1:00 Friday: 1:00-2:30

If necessary, appointments can be made as well.

COURSE OUTLINE AND ASSIGNMENTS

The Context of State Politics & Policies (8/31-9/7)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 1;
Shaffer & Saland, chapter 1.

The Role of the States in Intergovernmental Relations (9/10-14)
Bowman & Kearney, chapters 2 & 3;

Political Parties and Interest Groups (9/17-21)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 5;
Shaffer & Saland, chapter 2

Campaign, Elections & Citizen Participation (9/24-28)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter, 4;
Shaffer & Saland, chapter 3

The State Legislature: Process& Behavior (10/1 -8)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 6;
Shaffer & Saland,chapter 4.

MIDTERM EXAM (october 12th)

The Governor and Political Leadership (10/19-22)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 7;
Shaffer & Saland, chapter 6.

The Judiciary Interpreting the Law (11/2-5)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 9;
Shaffer & Saland, chapter 7.

Fiscal Policy & Economic Development (11/9-12)
Bowman & Kearney, chapters 13 & 14.

Criminal Justice Policy ( 11/ 1 6)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 16.

EducationPolicy(11/19-23)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 15.

Social Welfare & Health Care Policy (11/30-12/3)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter 17.

Environmental Policy (12/7-10)
Bowman & Kearney, chapter18 .

FINAL EXAM (Week of December 13-17)